Safety control means for timber setting machines



Oct. 9, 1951 J. n. RUSSELL SAFETY CONTROL MEANS FOR TIMBER SETTING MACHINES 2 Sheets-51161:#l l

Filed June 18, 1948 ati/0722651 Oct. 9, 1951 J, D, RUSSELL 2,570,383

SAFETY CONTROL MEANS FOR TMBER SETTING MACHINES Filed June 18, 1948 2 Sheets-Shea?. 2

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY (CONTROL MEANsFoR TIMBER SETTING MACHINES John D. jitussellp'anklin, Pa., assig'nor to Joy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a cor'poration of Pennsylvania Application .time 1s, 194s, seria1N0.33,s9o

1o claims. (ol. y1er-438) y This inventionrelates to timber setting machines and more particularly to an improved safety lcontrol apparatus for the adjustable timber ysupport o f such a machine for reducing the possibilityof accidental operation of the support adjusting means.

lin atmber setting machine of the type` disclosed in a copending application to Charles F. Ball and Richard T. Hair, Serial No. 746,646, filed May 8, 1947, owned by the sameassgnee as the present invention, a portable body is mounted on rubbertired wheels adapted to travel over the oor of a mine or tunnel and carries a pivted `boom frame which, at its outer end, supports a saddle forV receiving a mine timber. The boom frame is raised b y hydraulicv pressure, and hydraulic jack devices are operatively connected to the'boiii' frame for swinging the latter upwardly about its pivot to bring a mine timber on the saddle up against the roof of the mineor tunnel and to hold the mine timber in place during set'- ting of vthe up-rights or props. In accordance with the' present invention, in order to reduce the possibility of accidental lowering 'of the boom frame during setting of the timber, an improved safety control apparatus is provided for 'trapping theliquid in the cylinders of the jack devices and embodying improved manually operable con-trol valve means for Acontrolling lock release and liquid flow with respect to the jack cylinders when it is desired to raise or lower the boom frame and saddle.

Anfobject of the present invention is to provide an improvedtimber setting machine. Another object is to provi-de an improvedv timber setting machine having safety control apparatus for reducing the possibility of laccidental rais'- ing-or lowering of the adjustable timberA support. Yet another object is to provide an improved safety holding apparatus for an adjustable tim'- ber support of a timber setting machine wherein improved locking means is associated with the power device for raising the timber support whereby the latter is rmly locked in position during setting of a mine timber. Av further objectis to provide ran improved timber settingmachine having a hydraulic cylinder foi-.raisingthe timber support and an improved safety holding apparatus associated with .the cylinder for .trapping the liquid therein during settingof a mine timber. proved control valve means forthe lifting cylinder forfthe adjustable timber support, including a` manually operable valve ,for-.eiecting trapping ofliquid in the; cylinder anda secondmanually operable valve for controlling liquid flow with re- Y Yet another object is to provide an iml spe'ct to the cylinder. Both control valves must beoperated prior yto lowering of the timber support. A still further object is toprovide animprved safety holding 'apparatus embodying a fluid actuated valve for controlling iiuid flow relative to the lifting cylinderr for the timber support and separate valves respectivelygcontrolling operati-on of said fluid actuated` valve Iand for controlling fluid flow -relative to the cylinder. -In the event of failure of the fluid supply, the fluid actuated valve automatically assumes a position wherein it traps the iluid in the cylinder, thereby to prevent `accidental lowering of the timber support. Still another object is to `provide an improved fluid operated lock f -or preventing accidental dropping of the timber support, either as theresult of accidental movement of the conftr'olvalve or failure of the pressure fluid in the fluid system. The improved safety device reduces the possibility of accidental raising of the timber support as well as inadvertent lowering of the support. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying `drawings there is, shown for purposes ofillustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

lnthese drawings: Y p

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal vertical section, with parts shown in full,' thro1ugh a timber setting machinein which an illustrative form; of the improved safety control apparatus is embodied, vwith the timber support shown in partially raised position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, on asomewhat reduced scale-of the timber setting machine, with the'timber support shown in lowered position.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional'view, with parts shown in plan, of the improved control valve mechanism.

Fig. 4' is an enlarged detail sectional-view taken on line ll-- of Fig. 2, illustrating one of the'hydraulic cylinders.

Fig.v 5 is an enlarged view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 5-*5 of Flex-4'.

Fig'. 6' is a cross-sectional View taken on line' eg-e of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is-an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken" through the iiu'id actuated control valve or valve lock, which is associated'with ea'ch cylinder.

.Fig .8 .isla diagrammatic view illustrating the hydraulic system.

.The .timber'settingz machine, as fully disclosed inwthelapplication Serial No. 746,646', above yre'- ferred to, comprises a portable body l mounted on wheels adapted to travel over the floor of a mine or tunnel. The rear wheels 2 are traction wheels and are suitably motor driven, and the front wheels 3 are steering wheels and are swiveled to turn horizontally and are provided with suitable steering gear operated by a hand wheel 4. Extending centrally lengthwise of the machine body is a load carrying compartment 5 and straddling this compartment is an adjustable load support or boom frame 6 carrying, at its outer end, a horizontal turntable or rotatable saddle 1 providing a timber support. Hydraulic jack devices 3 beneath the timber carrying compartment are provided for swinging the boom frame. rlhe load carrying compartment is adapted to receive a load of mine timbering elements, such as cross timbers and props, and when the boom frame and turntable are properly positioned with respect to the timbering element compartment, a timber may be moved lengthwise from the compartment onto the turntable. frame may then be swung upwardly by the jack devices to elevate the turntable above the top of the machine body, and then the turntable may be turned to locate the timber in a crosswise position. The boom frame may then be swung upwardly by the jack devices further to elevate the turntable to bring the cross timber up against the roof and to hold it there firmly during setting of the uprights or props or during insertion of the rib pins.

The hydraulic jack devices 8 each comprise a cylinder 9 pivoted at I0 beneath the compartment bottom, and a plunger II, reciprocable in the cylinder, is pivotally connected at I2 to a bell crank I3. Each bell crank is pivoted at I4 within the machine body, and is pivotally connected at its opposite end at I5 to a link I6, the latter in turn pivotally connected at I1 to the yboom frame 6. Thus, when liquid under pressure is supplied to the cylinders 9 of the jack devices, the plungers l I are moved outwardly to swing the boom frame 6 upwardly about its pivot through the bell cranks I3 and links I6. When the liquid is trapped within the cylinders, the boom frame is locked in adjusted position and the boom frame may be lowered simply by discharging the liquid from the cylinders.

Now referring to the improved safety control apparatus, it will be noted that arranged at one side of the machine body is a control valve mechanism, generally designated 26, comprising a valve box composed of a series oi valve block sections 2| and end head sections 22 and 23 suitably secured in assembled relation. Connected to an inlet chamber 24 in the end head section 22 is a pipe 25 which leads to the discharge side of a conventional pump 26 driven by a motor 21. A discharge chamber 28 in the end head section 23 is connected by a discharge pipe 29 to a liquid tank or reservoir 36. The suction side of the pump 26 is connected by a pipe 3l with the liquid tank. Extending longitudinally through the valve block sections is a passage 32 which connects the inlet chamber 24 with the discharge chamber 28. Arranged parallel with the passage 32 and likewise extending through the valve block sections is a discharge passage 33 communicating with the discharge chamber 28. A conventional springloaded relief valve 34 is adapted to connect the inlet chamber 24 with the discharge passage 33 in the event of overload in the hydraulic system. Formed in the left hand Valve block section is a bore 35 containing a reciprocable slide valve 36, while contained in a bore 31 in the right hand The boom Cil valve block section is a similar slide valve 38. An annular groove 39, formed in the walls of the valve receiving bore 35, is connected by a pipe 43 and branch pipes 4I to passages 42 in head blocks 43, suitably secured to rear cylinder heads 44. Each passage 42 communicates with an annular groove 45 formed in the walls of a transverse bore 46 in the head block 43 (see Fig. '7). Also formed in the walls of the bore 46 is an annular groove 41 connected by a passage 48 in the rear cylinder head with the rear end of the cylinder bore 49 at the rear side of the piston head 56 of the plunger I I. An annular groove 5I, formed in the wall of the Valve receiving bore 31, is connected, byaa pipe 52 and branch pipes 53, with the left hand ends of the bores 46, as viewed in Figs. 6 and '7. Reciprocable in each bore 46 is a uid actuated valve 54 to be later described.

Again referring to the slide valves 36 and 38, it will be noted that these valves are preferably of the balanced spool type, and respectively have suitable operating levers 36 and 38. The valve 36 has spaced spools separated by reduced portions or grooves 55 and 56 so that when the valve is held in the position shown in Fig. 3 by a coil spring 51, fluid is free to flow from the inlet chamber 24 to the supply passage 32, with the central spool cutting 01T the groove 39 from both the supply passage and the exhaust passage. When the valve 36 is moved downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3, the groove 39 may be connected by the reduced portion 56 with the exhaust passage, and when the valve 36 is moved upwardly, the reduced portion 55 may connect the groove 39 with the supply passage 32. The valve 38 has its spools separated by reduced portions or grooves 58 and 59, and when the 'valve is held downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3, by a coil spring 66, Huid is free to flow through the supply passage 32 while the groove 5I is connected by the reduced portion 59 with the discharge passage 33. When the valve 38 is moved upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3, the groove 5I is ycut 01T from the discharge passage and is connected through the reduced portion 58 with the supply passage 32.

Now referring to the detail structure of the spring 51, it will be noted that the slide Valve 36 has a reduced stem 6I formed with an annular end flange engaging an inner flange on a sleeve member 62. The spring 51 is arranged between a flange 63 on this sleeve member and a Washer 64.- When the valve 36 is in the position sho-wn in Fig. 3, the washer 64 is held by the spring against the adjacent end surface of the valve block section, with the sleeve member 62 held against the inner end wall of a cap 65. When the valve 36 is moved downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3, the sleeve member 62 is moved inwardly, compressing the spring to bring the groove 56 into a position to connect the groove 39 to the exhaust passage 33, thereby to connect the jack cylinders to exhaust. When the valve 36 is moved upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3, the washer 64 is lifted from its seat, compressing the spring, cutting 01T communication of the groove 39 with the exhaust, and connecting the groove 39 with the supply passage 32 through the groove 55. The spring 6l) acts between the inner end wall of a cap 61 and a sleeve member 68 secured to the valve 38. In Fig. 3, the sleeve member 68 is held by the spring against the adjacent end surface of the valve block section. When it is desired to interrupt `communication of the groove 5I with the exhaust passage 33, the valve 38 is raised upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3. Upon fur- Ih'aust.

, 5 therupward movement, the groove 555| connected by the groove 5`8fwi-t'h the supply v`passage `3-2. Thus, when the valve --358 is'in vthe position shown lin Fig. `3, the groove I5| connected l11o-exhaust, and when the valve 38 is moved upwardly froml the position shown in Fig. -3, the groove V5I is connected to the fluid supply. When the valve preferably 'of the The fluid actuated valve 54is K The spool type Yand has an annul'ar groove l0.

Vvalve is urged toward the left, as viewed :in Fig. 7,

by a spring l, larranged between the valve and a threaded plug lf2. This plug v'has an* axial Vent passage 73 for venting the bore 46 at Ythe 'right handend of the valve. vSealing rings 14, Iarranged `in grooves nsurrounding the valve receiving bore, sealingly engage the end body portions lof the valve to prevent leakage. When the valve 54 is inthe position Ishown in Figs. kGand 7, the groove 45 is cu't off from the groove 4l, and the valve body, at that time, ltraps the vliquid within the jack kcylinder `so that when the boom frame is in raised position with the timber held up against the roof, it is firmly held there. When it is desired to lower the Vboom frame, the operator may actuate the valve 38 to connectthe groove 5l with the supply passage 32 so that liquid under pressure may then iiow through the pipe 52 and branch pipes 53 to the valve-receiving bores 46 at the left hand ends of the valves 54, moving the latter toward the right from the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7 into a position Iwherein the groove l connects the groove 45 with the groove 4l. Liquid may then iiow from the cylinders through vpassages 48 and 42 and through pipes 4l, 49, groove 39, and when the valve 36 is in lowered position, through the reduced portion B to the discharge passage 33, thereby causing the boom frame Vto swing downwardly. Y

When it `is desired to swing the boom frame upwardly, the Valve 36 may be positioned to connect the groove 39 with the supply passage 32 so that liquid under `press-ure may ow through pipes 40 and 4l, passage 42, grooves 45 and 41 and passages -48 to the cylinders, thereby to move the plungers Il outwardly.

is shown associated with a timber setting machine of the pivoted boom frame type, it will ylo'e- 'evident that the same may -be'associated with other types of timber setting machines, as, for example, that disclosed in la. copending application to L. G. Felderman and A. S. Knoizen, Serial No. 746,832, nled May 8, 1947.

As a result of this invention, an improved safety control apparatus is provided wherein a pair Aof slide valves must be manually operated in relatively opposite directions to effect venting of liquid from the lifting jacks yfor the boomv By the provision of the fluid actuated frame. valves controlled by one of the hand valves, the

Vliquid l'is automatically trapped in the lifting'cylinders'in the -'event -of a failure of pump `pres- 'operato-r has vto operate Aboth of these Avalves in Yorder to lower the boom frameon'e valve to release the -pressure from the cylinder and the 'other `-to apply pressure to the-control valve which permits escape of fluid from the cylinder. 'The 4two hand operated valvesr are so arranged that thepossihility of the saine being operated-"either carelessly or inadvertently, thereby accidentally to lower the boom, is substantially reduced. lOther uses .and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those vskilled iin the VVart.

Whilevthere -is in this application specifically described one form which the invention Amay assume -in practice, it lwill lloc understood that this Vform of Vthe same is shown Yfor purposesof illustration and that the invention may loe-modi- 'ed and embodied in various other Yforms `without departing from its spirit or the scopeof the appended claims. A

What I claim as new and desire to secu-reby `Letters Patent is:

l. `I-n` combination, an adjustable loadsupp'o'rt,

' means for elevating said support including ra ffluid cylinder, a source of fluid under pressure, means providing -a passage communicating with said cylinder for supplying fluid to the latter to leffect elevation of saidV support, a manually voperable valve for controlling fluid flow through said passage, 'a normally vrclosed, fluid Lactuated valve for controlling fluid flow through said "passage, means providing a passage for supplying fluid under pressure from said source to said fluid actuated valve for moving the latter into its open position, and a manually 'operable valve for controlling uid flow through lsaid last mentioned passage.

2. In combination, an adjustable load support, meansfor elevating said support including 'a 'iluid cylinder, `asource `of fluid under pressure, means providing a passage communicating with said. cylinder vfor supplying fluid to `the latter to effect elevation cf said support, a manually operable valvefor' controlling fluid flow through `saidpassage, a normally closed, 'fluid actuated valve for controlling fluid flow 'through said passage, means Aproviding a passage 'for supplying "flu'id under pressure Vfrom said source to said iiuid vactuated valveffor moving the latter into its open position, and a manually operable valve for controlling fluid flow thro-ugh said last mentioned passage, said Amanually operable valves located in mutual adjacencyat points remote vfrom said movable load support.

3. In combination, an adjustable nload support, means for elevating said support 'including a Y'fluid cylinder, a source of fluid under pressure, means providing apassage communicating with said cylinder for supplying l'fluid to vthe 'latter to effect elevation of said support, a manually operable valve for' controlling fluid flow through said passage, a normally closed, fluid actuated valve'fo'r controlling `iiuid 'flo-w through Ysaid passage, means providing a passage for supplying 'iiuid under pressure from said source to said fluid actuatedvalve for moving lthe vlatter into -its open position, 4a manually operable fvalvefor tionedv passage, said manually operable valves located in mutual adjacency at points remote from said movable load support, and said manually operable valves movable one in one direction and the other in the opposite direction, toward positions to eiTect lowering of said supporf 4. In combination, a movable load support, means for elevating said support including a uid cylinder, a source of fluid under pressure, a fluid exhaust, means providing a passage communicating with said cylinder, a manually operable valve for controlling fluid now through said passage and positionable to connect said cylinder either to said supply source or to said exhaust, a normally closed, fluid actuated valve for cona spring for moving said fluid actuated valve into u its closed position, means providing a passage for supplying fluid from said source to said fluid actuated valve for moving ethe latter into its open position against the action of said spring, and a manually operable valve for controlling fluid flow through said last mentioned passage and positionable to connect said last mentioned passage either to said supply source or to said exhaust.

5. In combination, a movable load support, means for elevating said support including a iiuid operated elevating device, a source of fluid under pressure, a fluid exhaust, means providing a passage communicating with said device, an operator controllable valve device for controlling fluid flow through said passage and positionable to connect said passage either to said supply source or to said exhaust, a normally closed, uid actuated valve means for controlling fluid flow in said passage communicating with said elevating device, means providing a passage for supplying fluid from said fluid source to said iiuid actuated valve means for moving the latter into its open position, resilient means acting on said valve means for moving the latter into its closed position when said second mentioned passage is connected to exhaust, and an operator controllable valve device for controlling iiuid flow through said last mentioned passage and positionable to connect the same either to said supply source or to said exhaust.

6. In combination, a movable load support, means for elevating said support including a fluid operated elevating device, a source of iiuid under pressure, a iiuid exhaust, means providing a passage communicating with said device, an operator controllable valve device for controlling fluid means for moving the latter into its closed position when said second mentioned passage is conneoted to exhaust, and an operator controllable ,valve device for controlling fluid flow through said last mentioned passage and positionable to connect the same either` to said supply source or to said exhaust, said operator controllable valve Adevices located in mutual adjacency at points ;remote from said load support and one positionlable to connect said rst mentioned passage to said exhaust and the other to connect said second mentioned passage toA said supply source prior to lowering of said load support.

7. In combination, a movable load support, means for elevating said support including a fluid operated elevating device, a source of fluid under pressure, a fiuid exhaust, means providing a passage communicating with said device, an operator controllable valve device for controlling uid flow through said passage and positionable to connect said passage either to said supply source or to said exhaust, a normally closed, fluid actuated valve means for controlling fluid flow in said passage to said elevating device, means providing a passage for supplying fluid from said fluid source to said fluid actuated valve means for moving the latter into its open position, resilient means acting on said valve means for moving the latter into its closed position when said second mentioned passage is connected to exhaust, an operator controllable valve device for controlling fluid flow through said last mentioned passage and positionable to connect the same either to s aid supply source or to said exhaust, said operator controllable valve devices positionable one to connect said rst mentioned passage to said exhaust and the other to connect said second mentioned passage to said supply source prior to lowering of said load support, and said operator controllable valve devices located in mutual adjacency at points remote from said load support and one movable in one direction and the other in the opposite direction, toward aforesaid positions to eifect lowering of said support.

8. In combination, a movable load support, means for elevating said support including a fluid cylinder, a source of fluid under pressure, a fluid exhaust, means providing a passage communicating with said cylinder, a manually operable valve for controlling iiuid iiow through said passage and positionable to connect said cylinder either to said supply source or to said exhaust, a normally closed iiuid actuated valve for controlling uid iiow in said passage to said cylinder, a spring for moving said fluid actuated valve into its closed position, means providing a passage for supplying fluid from said source to said fluid actuated valve for moving the latter into its open position against the action of said spring, and a manually operable valve for controlling fluid flow through said last mentioned passage and positionable to connect said last mentioned passage either to said supply source or to said exhaust, and said spring automatically moving said fluid actuated valve to closed position to prevent escape of fiuid from said elevating cylinder to prevent inadvertent lowering of said load support in the event the fluid supply fails for any reason.

9. In combination, a movable load support, means for elevating said support including a fluid operated elevating device, a source of iiuid under pressure, a uid exhaust, means providing a passage communicating with said device, an operator controllable valve device for controlling fluid ow through said passage and positionable Vto connect said passage either to said supply ient means acting on said valve means for moving the latter into its closed position when said second mentioned passage is connected to exhaust, an operator controllable valve device for 9 controlling iiuid flow through said last mentioned passage and positionable to connect the same either to said supply source or to said exhaust, said operator controllable valve .devices' located in mutual adjacency at points remote from said load support and one positionable to connect said Iirst mentioned passage to said exhaust and the other to connect said second mentioned passage to said supply source prior to lowering of said load support, and said resilient means automatically moving said iiuid actuated valve means to closed position to prevent escape of fluid from said fluid operated device to prevent inadvertent lowering of said load support in the event the uid supply fails for any reason.

10. In combination, an adjustable load support, means for controlling the elevation of said support including a hydraulic mechanism having a cylinder variably filled with iiuid dependent upon the elevation of said support, means for supplying fluid to and for venting iiuid from said cylinder comprising a passage communicating with said cylinder for venting fluid from the latter, anoperator controllable valve for controlling fluid iiow through said vent passage, a normally closed, iiuid actuated valve arranged within the outline of said hydraulic mechanism for controlling fluid flow through said vent passage, a source of fluid under pressure, means providing a passage for supplying uid under pressure from said source to said fluid actuated valve for moving the latter into its open position, and an operator controllable valve for controlling fluid ow through said last mentioned passage, said operator controllable valves each having an individual operating element, said operating elements located in mutual adjacency at points remote from said support and separately movable at the will of the operator one in one direction and the other in a different direction to effect movement of said operator controllable valves into their positions to effect iiuid venting from said cylinder.

JOHN D. RUSSELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,890,341 Singiser f Dec. 6, 1932 1,999,400 Davis 1 Apr. 30, 1935 2,026,508 Johnson Dec. 31, 1935 2,402,742 Ellis June 25, 1946 2,407,692 Vickers Sept. 17, 1946 2,408,387 Gay et al. Oct. 1, 1946 

